Folding hatchet



Jan. 18, 1927.

C. A. FINLEY FOLDING HATCHET Filed March 26, 1925 Patented Jan. 18,1927.

UNITED STATES.

1,614,949 P'ATENT' OFFICE.

CLYDE A. FINLEY, F GALESBURG, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WALTERMONTGOMERY, OF SAUK CITY, WISCONSIN.

FOLDING HATCHET.

This invention relates to folding hatchets. Objects of this inventionare to provide a hatchetwhich may be folded to a compact form adapted tobe readily carried, which t is adapted to be suspended from a belt orother suitable member, for instance, or if desired, carried in thepocket, and which is so contoured as to readily permit this manner ofcarrying it.

Further objects are to provide a folding hatchet in which positive andsecure looking means are provided for holding the hatchet in extended orfolded condition without any chance of accidental motion of 1-" parts ofthe hatchet, and to provide means which are independent of jar or joltsto the hatchet for looking it in either extreme position, thus securinga secure,'firm and reliable folding hatchet. 2a Further objects are toprovide a folding hatchet, which may be readily manufactured wholly frommetal, which is extreme- 1y flat and compact in construction, and whichis very simple, and may be cheaply manufactured.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a view of the hatchet opened out, such view beingpartly broken away.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section showing the hatchet folded.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1.

The hatchet comprises a head 1 having a rearwardly projecting extension2 integral therewith. The handle-portion 3 is formed of metal and issubstantially channel-shaped with a reenforcing web t intermediate itsends, such web having a beveled lower side 5 for a purpose hereinafterto appear. The handle is provided with a downwardly projectingenlargement 6 adjacent its rear end to facilitate gripping the handleand is provided with a strap receiving slot 7. Its forward end iscurved, as indicated at 8 to rovide a gradually curved end when in oldedcondition, as shown in Figure 2. The rearward extension 2 of the head 1is mounted within the channel-shaped handle 3 and secured pivotallythereto by means of the rivet 9.

The rearward extension 2 is adapted to be locked in either extended orclosed position by means hereinafter described. This rearward extensionis provided with an arm 10 which has a flat upper face 11 adapted to beengaged by the lower face of the sliding wedge or latch 12, as shown inFigure 1, and to thus hold the hatchet in extended position.

It is to be noted that the upper edge 13 of the extension 2 contactswith the inner side of the channel-shaped handle 3 when it is inextended position. Further, it is to a be noted that the latching memberis securely wedged between the face 11 of the portion 10, and the innerportion of the handle to thus prevent reverse rotation of the hatchetextension 2 with reference to the handle.

The. latching member 12 is provided with a rivet 1 1 which projectsthroughelongated slots 15 in the handle 3, and thus guides the latchingmember. It is to be noted from Figure 2 that the latching member iscutout to provide a recess 16 on its inner side within which the forwardend of the helical spring 17 is received. The rear end of this springsurrounds a pin 18 carried within the web 4 of the handle. When thehatchet is in closed position, as shown in Figure 2, the rear face ofthe head 1 contacts with the slanting face 5 of the web 4 and thusprevents further inward motion of the head. This holds the sharp cuttingedge out of contact with the handle, as shown in Figure 2. It is also tobe seen from such figure that the cutting edge is held in spacedrelation to the slot 7 when the hatchet is folded and thus prevents anycutting of the suspension strap by such edge.

In order to hold the hatchet in folded condition, the side of theextension 10 opposite the side 11, is provided with a flat face 19 whichcooperates with the latch 12, as shown in Figure 2, so that when thehatchet is folded, the latch is immediately projected by the spring intobinding engagement with this face, such latch being wedged between theinner side of the handle and the face 19.

Thus the hatchet is prevented from inadvertently opening from foldedcondition.

It is to be noted that due to the spring action of the latching meansthat such latching means is at all times held outwardly in bindingrelation to the extension 2 of the head, and thus cannot bev dislodgedby jolts or jars.

Obviously, in either folding or unfolding the hatchet, it is merelynecessary for the operator to catch the rivet let on opposite sidesbetween his thumb and first finger and retract the latching member 12.This permits free rocking of the head with reference to the handle.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it isto be understood that the invention may be variously embodied and is,therefore, to be limited only as claimed.

I claim:

1. A folding hatchet comprising ahead having a rearwardly projecting armpro vided with an aperture therethrough and having an extensionprojecting beyond said aperture, said extension having a tapered upperface, a channel-shaped handle enclosing a portion of said arm and havinga pivot pin passing through said aperture and having a portion extendingforwardly beyond said pivot pin and contacting with the upper edge ofsaid arm, a spring pressed plunger slidably carried within the channelin said handle and contacting with the inner upper surface of saidchannel, said plunger having a locking end provided with a tapered faceon the under side of its forward end contacting with and wedging againstsaid first mentioned tapered face when said hatchet is extended, thelocking end of said plunger being positioned directly between the saidextension and the channeled portion of said handle, and means foroperating said plunger, whereby the locking end of said plunger wedgesbetween said extension and the inner upper surface of saidchannel-shaped handle.

2. A hatchet of the class described comprising a head having arearwardly projecting arm, a handle pivotally connected adjacent the endof said arm, said handle being channel-shaped and adapted to receivethereinthe cut-ting edge of said hatchet when the same is folded, aprojection carried by said arm and extending beyond the pivotalconnection with said handle, said handle having its end portionextending beyond the pivoted point and adapted to overlie a part of thearm bet-ween the pivot and hatchet when the same is opened for use, anda wedge-shaped element movable between the projection car ried by thearm and the base of the channelshaped arm for locking the arm and handlein alignment.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand atGalesburg, in the county of Knox and State of Illinois.

CLYDE A. FINLEY.

